In vitro study of the action of synthetic peptides as antivirals against CHIKV

• Grant number: 19/07784-3
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Duration: June 01, 2020 - May 31, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Molecular Genetics and Genetics of Microorganisms
• Principal Investigator: Marilia de Freitas Calmon
• Grantee: Marilia de Freitas Calmon
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências, Letras e Ciências Exatas (IBILCE). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de São José do Rio Preto. São José do Rio Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Cintia Bittar Oliva ; Eduardo Maffud Cilli ; Paula Rahal

Abstract

The Chikungunya Virus (CHIKV) is a known member of the Togaviridae family, the genus Alphavirus, which was first identified in Africa in the year 1952. CHIKV has been reported worldwide, including India, Indian Ocean islands, Southeast Asia, Italy and the United States. This virus presents pathogenicity to humans of all age groups and both sexes. CHIKV infection leads to sudden onset of symptoms in patients such as headache, fever, muscle pain (myalgia), nausea, vomiting, and severe arthralgia after an incubation period of 2 to 4 days. These clinical symptoms of infection may be confused with those of other arboviruses, such as DENV. As in the case of DENV infections, there is also no specific drug against CHIKV infections. A number of therapeutic strategies to combat CHIKV have been investigated to directly target the viral replication cycle, including entry stages, protein synthesis, genome replication or enzyme functions. Antiviral peptides that interact with virus particles or at some target at critical stages of life cycle viral replication can potentially be used as treatment or prophylaxis. The present project aims to analyze the antiviral action of peptides against the CHIKV virus. The peptides that will be analyzed in this project are peptides that aim to inhibit some stage of the CHIKV replication cycle. It is believed that in vitro studies of these synthesized peptides will aid in the search for new safe antiviral treatments with very few side effects for a viral infection that has not yet been vaccinated and which has debilitating symptoms for the infected individual. (AU)